New jobs for the socially disadvantaged: the Swiss start-up SoulSpice opens production facilities in Bad Tölz

SoulSpice is planning to serve the rapidly growing markets of the DACH region and expand into France from Bavaria. The storage and filling of the sustainably produced spices will also take place at the site, in addition to packaging and shipping. A showroom is also part of the cooperation. The special feature: people with mental illnesses and social difficulties are working under supervision at the newly rebuilt premises. The cooperation partners are relying on flexible working hours and focusing on the employees’ individual needs in their day-to-day work together. One of the greatest challenges is to nevertheless not neglect profitability and reliability. Thanks to ReAL Isarwinkel’s many years of experience in striving for the inclusion of mentally ill people and employing more than 280 staff in the region since 1995, the collaboration is running smoothly. 

The cooperation between SoulSpice and ReAL Manufaktur is geared towards long-term shared growth: “We are assuming that we can develop the offer of work and employment for people with psychological illnesses and social difficulties in the region further as a result,” emphasises ReAL Isarwinkel Managing Director Eva Marie Torhorst. Boris Rafalski, Co-founder of SoulSpice, adds: “High-quality products do not rule out a social component in production. We justify our higher prices with the good quality of the spices and the social responsibility for our farmers, co-workers and partners.” 

SoulSpice was founded in 2016 and specialises in the purchase, processing and distribution of sustainably produced spices. In addition to the quality of the products, the start-up pays particular attention to a fair supply chain from the producer to the end customer. As a result, high standards don’t just apply to the employment relationships but topics such as environmental protection and transparency also play a big part. The cooperation partner ReAL Isarwinkel is committed to education, qualification, work and housing offers for disadvantaged people in the region. 

Invest in Bavaria worked together with the Oberland Business Forum to assist SoulSpice in its search for a suitable cooperation partner. We are all the more delighted to have found the “perfect partner all-round” in ReAL Isarwinkel, as Boris Rafalski repeatedly emphasises. We wish them much success and are available if they require any further assistance.